Helping Children Cope After Trauma

After a serious injury or traumatic event, most children recover well over time. A trauma is something very scary, painful, or upsetting that happens suddenly.

Even after the event is over, a child’s brain and body may still be reacting to it. This can affect how your child feels, thinks, or acts while they recover. Your support can help lower stress and reduce long-term problems. 

What to Look for at Home

After a trauma, some changes are common. Get support through resources on the last page or your child’s doctor or health care provider if these changes affect daily life OR last longer than one month.

You may notice your child:

  • Feels fearful or anxious.
  • Is restless or on edge.
  • Has trouble sleeping, like nightmares, waking up often, not wanting to sleep alone, jerky movements during sleep, or going back to comfort habits, like thumb sucking.
  • Acts younger than their age or is less independent.
  • Needs more help or reminders with self-care tasks.
  • Has changes in mood or behavior, like more sadness, irritability, or anger.
  • Seems anxious or jumpy. They may jump easily, act like something bad might happen, or want to stay close to home or safe people.
  • Avoids daily places, activities, or items or possible reminders of the trauma.
  • Has thoughts or memories of the event often.

What You Can Do to Help

  • Go back to your normal daily schedule. Routines help lower fear and stress.
  • Set clear and fair limits on behavior.
    • Correct unsafe or hurtful behavior right away.
    • Praise positive behavior often.
  • Give your child chances to talk about what happened. Let them decide what to share.
    • Answer questions using clear, honest words.
    • Use the event as a chance to talk about safety.
  • Avoid staying away from places or activities forever. Help your child return to them slowly when they are ready.
  • Encourage independence when possible. Doing things on their own helps build confidence and a sense of safety.
  • Ask for support when needed. Family, friends, hospital staff, or a counselor can help you and your child.

Hospital Resources

  • Trauma social workers and pediatric psychologists are part of your child’s care team during their hospital stay. They support children and families after an injury or trauma.
  • If you have concerns about how your child or family is coping, tell your child’s medical team. Ask them to contact Social Work.

After leaving the hospital, you can contact:

Nationwide Children's - Columbus

Nationwide Children's - Toledo

You can also contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Helping Hands™ Patient Education Materials

Helping Hands™ are easy-to-read guides about different illnesses, therapies, surgeries, and more. They’re created by the Patient Education team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and are reviewed and approved by clinical staff, like nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and psychologists. Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for misuse of information in patient education materials, including Helping Hands.

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